The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-02-03

returned at once, and--ahd-we won't forget
your Kindness He stopped and turned to-
ward the hall. al have brought my
friend down stairs. He wants to thank you
before he goes"
As he remained standing in the hall the
two women stepped to the door. To their
surprise, half reclining on cane sofa, was
the wounded man, and what could be seen of
his SLIGHT figure was wrapped in dark
serape. His beardless face gave him quaint
boyishness quite inconsistent with the mature
lines of his temples and forehead. Pale. and
in pain as. he. evidently was, his blue eyes
twinkled with intense amusement. Not only
did his manner offer q marked contrast to
Che somber uneasiness Of his companion, but
he seemed to be the only one perfectly at his
ease in the group around him.
ats rather rough making you come out
here to see me of, !" he said, with not UNI
musical laugh that was very infectious, "but
Ned there, who carried me Downstairs,
wanted to tote me round the house in his
arms like a baby to say ta-ta to You all Ex-.
cuse my not rising, but Feel as uncertain be-
low as q mermaid, and as out Of my ele-
ment, he added, with a mischievous glance
at his friend. "Ned concluded I must go on,
But must say good-by to the old lady first.
All! here she is" .--1 aa'-f.& Soy
To Hates complete bewilderment not only
did the utter familiarity of this speech pass
unnoticed and unrebuked by her sister, but
actually her own mother advanced quickly
with every expression of lively sympathy,
and with the authority of her years and an
almost maternal anxiety endeavored to dis
suade the invalid from going. "This is not
my house" she said, looking at her daugh-
ter, "but if it were should not hear Of your
leaving, not only tonight, but until you
were out of danger. Josephine! Kate!
What are you thinking Of to permit its
Well, then, forbid it-there!n
Had they become suddenly insane, or were
they bewitched by this morose intruder and
his insufferably familiar confidant? The
man was wounded, it was true; they might
have to put him up in common humanity;
but here was her austere mother, who
wouldn't come in the room when Whisky
Dick called on business, actually pressing
both of the invalid's hands, while her sister,
who never extended finger to the ordinary
visiting humanity of the neighborhood,
looked on with evident complacency.
The wounded man suddenly raised Mrs.
SCOTS hand to his lips, kissed it gently, and,
with his smile quite vanished, endeavored to
rise to his feet. ats of no use-we must 60.
Give me your arm, Ned. QuickI Are the
horses there2"
GDear me-" said Mrs. Scott quickly, II
forgot to say the horse cannot be found any
where Manuel must have taken him this
morning to look up the stock. But be, will
be back tonight certainly, and if to-mor-
row. .- ..
The wounded man sank back to sitting
position. as Manuel your man" he asked
grimly. ......s. -
ayes" III.
The two men exchanged glances
marked on his left cheek and drinks q
good dealF'
EYES," said Kate, finding her voice.
"Whyg" .z.r
The amused look came back to the mans
eyes. "That kind of man isn't safe to wait
for. We must take our own horse, Ned. Are
you ready!"
Eyes"
Tho wounded man again attempted to rise.
He fell back, but this time quito heavily. He
had tainted. ..-..
Involuntarily and simultaneously the three
women rushed to his side. "He cannot CO."
said Kate, suddenly. - .s..